As part of a lead up to a new show about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, National Geographic has released the results of a survey focused on public opinion regarding a number of items related to the possibility of the existence of aliens. Some of these factoids are rather telling about the American community, like upwards of 80% of those surveyed believing not only in the existence of extraterrestrials, but also believing that the world governments are involved in a clandestine operation to keep knowledge from the public. Not really news, but good to know. Or the fact that despite the popularity of such films like The Avengers and the Twilight series, most people find the possibility of the existence of aliens more more probably than the existence of vampires, super heroes, or zombies. Which shouldn't really surprise you when you sit and think about it.

But the real winner here, is apparently nearly two thirds of American's believe that President Obama would be better suited to handle the first encounter between humans and an alien race than his political opponent, Mitt Romney. Talk about an angle worth capitalizing on. Print up the posters! Start filming the commercials! If the aliens come, Obama is our only hope!

I must say though, if I had to make a choice between Romney and Obama regarding who I would rather have lead the opening talks between our species and an other worldly intelligence, I would have to pick Obama as well. Mainly because I believe any culture capable of interplanetary travel would have socially evolved past the economic policies of capitalism in favor of a more sustainable economic system, and thus would be confused and angered by anything that came out of Romney's mouth.

Of course, the survey doesn't really discuss why 80% of people think the government is involved in keeping secrets about the existence of aliens, and then still believe that Obama would be the man to pick for opening relations with the visitors from beyond. I mean, if the government is already hiding their existence, wouldn't it be fair to guess that they are already engaged in clandestine meetings with alien leaders, and have been for some time?